Digital media campaign buying and management company WideOrbit is remaking its executive ranks, as Bruce Roberts prepares to step down as President and EVP of Sales after 20 years. He will remain in the traditional role of advisor to the company. Seven new executive appointments flow into upper management at the company. Continue Reading
Clubhouse, a pioneer in social audio and the most recognized brand in that field, has emerged from a year-long beta period, celebrating the new phase as “Opening Day.” Key to the emergence is the elimination of the invite-only method of bringing in new users. Now, anyone can join. Click through for several usage statistics, and a link to 30 job openings. Continue Reading
Spotify-owned podcast publisher and ad-tech platform Megaphone has signed The Weather Network in Canada. This deal brings The Weather Network’s flagship podcast, “This Day in Weather History” onto the platform. Continue Reading
Deezer is promoting its Deezer for Creators toolset. It offers metrics related to track plays and demographic info about listeners, as well as features that enable public sharing of the information. Continue Reading
Jottings of Note
— Toss the TOS (James Cridland on Fireside)
— I Want My… (MTV. Bob Pittman celebrates)
— Quick and Dirty (History)
Australian media company Southern Cross Austereo has added 10 music stations to its LiSTNR app, bringing its total station count to 25. The company is calling the additions “DAB+ music stations,” but the emphasis is more on the app than on DAB+ reception and listening. Adding pure music streams to radio-based apps is a familiar strategy. Continue Reading
Darren Davis, the president of iHeartRadio for nearly eight years, and a near-30-year veteran of iHeartMedia, is formally leaving the company at year’s end. He will maintain an advisory role. We reminisce across the career milestones of a valued RAIN partner. Continue Reading
Leading branded content podcast company Pacific Content has fleshed out its platform, adding pre- and post-production service to legacy show production skill. We talked to the company to get details. Continue Reading
Jottings of Note
— Psychic Prowess? (Jason Brownlee)
— Toutes les Felicitations (AdsWizz)
— New Leash on Life (Gary Reisman)
As the beleaguered Tokyo Olympics get underway this week, with the opening ceremony scheduled for Friday, NBC Olympics is promoting its range of Olympics podcasts. The network’s emphasis is on its Apple Podcasts channel, where the shows are grouped. Click for details. Continue Reading
Online therapy service BetterHelp topped Magellan AI’s monthly list of top advertisers of June. BetterHelp was the biggest spender the previous two months as well, and we compare April, May, and June lists with a graphic illustrating unique appearances. ALSO: a fantastic animated visualization of the top podcast spenders over 12 months — must see. Continue Reading
In a landmark piece of bizdev for popular podcast Gastropod, the show is tying up with Eater, a Vox Media property. The Eater/Vox promotion and sales machinery will handle Gastropod‘s marketing, ad sales, and distribution. The announcement also promises “editorial collaborations and extensions.” It is not an acquisition; Gastropod remains independently owned. Continue Reading